The story of Ratanji in Chapter 14 serves as a powerful illustration of the philosophy that no one experiences unmixed happiness. The text explicitly states, "See, this is the divine plan; no one has unmixed happiness. Everyone has some nagging worry or the other behind them." Ratanji, a man who had vast wealth, property, and a charitable reputation, was still tormented by the "crocodile of a difficult inner worry"—his lack of a son. The narrative uses his situation to argue that worldly success is often incomplete. It further reinforces this by posing rhetorical questions about the meaninglessness of religious acts or status without core virtues or a complete family, thereby teaching that human life is inherently a mix of joy and sorrow.
How does the story of Ratanji illustrate the book's philosophy on the nature of human happiness and suffering?
📖 Chapter 14